Do Something Brilliant Today

learn, laugh, live!

Rainworth & District u3a in Mansfield provides opportunities for those no longer in full-time employment to come together and learn for fun.

Make the most of life and join our members exploring new ideas, skills and interests.

Our Groups

Join u3a

Our Groups

Join u3a

The next meeting is on Wednesday 12th August 2026, 10-12 at the Rainworth Village Hall when our speaker will be Michelle Welsh talking about the “Life of an MP”
New members and visitors are always welcome. Come and try us out, we are a small friendly u3a that welcomes everyone and anyone who would like to “learn, laugh, live!”
You can visit our main meetings on two occasions free of charge or join straight away.

Garden Party – YE! HA!

I suppose the idea behind the cowboy/cowgirl theme certainly wasn’t original, but it was to me. The armchair cinema group recently featured “Calamity Jane” and set off lots of memories for me. It was first proper film I ever saw and a show I’ve played in several times. The songs are all great. Most wild west films have great music. Just think of The magnificent seven, Big Country and of course Oklahoma, Annie get your gun, Paint your wagon and Seven brides for seven brothers.
But the Country and Western theme is more popular than ever, not just in America but worldwide. The country style is something I enjoy but can’t play. Duelling banjos is not for me. But we have line dancing in Rainworth and an enthusiastic following. So Ye Ha just needed a mix of country songs, showtime favourites and a comedy item. ‘Anything you can do’ from Annie get your gun doesn’t work for a whole group to sing so this is where Enid saved the day. “I may be able to knit a sweater, but she can certainly fill it better!”
The rest was down to Ann Mills and her social team for setting up and delivering a lovely cream tea, committee members for games, the Ringtones, Mick and the Methodist Hall facilities to put on a great afternoon’s entertainment.

Ian Hibbert

Congratulations Rainworth

At last Rainworth village has its own green Sherwood Forest plaque!

Shortly after our u3a Local History meeting with the Sheriff of Nottingham in October, the plan took off to put Sherwood Forest on the map by locating a plaque in each village of the old Forest.

The Sheriff and our local MP Michelle Welsh called a Moot – a meeting which decided to celebrate Sherwood Forest Day on 20th February, the birthday of Major Hayman Rooke of Major Oak fame.

So far, 58 plaques have been made and delivered to all the villages within the ancient forest boundary.

Thanks to the continuing efforts of the Sheriff and Chair of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Linda Tift, we were proud to arrange a formal presentation at our u3a meeting to Tanya and Olivia at the Village Hall, where the plaque will be displayed.

Diane Hibbert, Local History Group

The u3a movement has been learning, staying active and having fun for 40 years – showcasing what it means to have a positive later life.

u3a stands for the University of the Third Age. This is not a university in the usual sense, but a national organisation committed to offering an opportunity for anyone retired or not in full-time employment to access and share a wide range of social & learning events, join specific interest, skills and hobbies groups alongside monthly meetings and on-line participation.

The u3a national body is The Third Age Trust, started in 1982, a charitable non-profit making organisation which provides full support in the setting up of new individual groups and afterwards. Do have a look at their website www.u3a.org.uk

Local groups are set up to meet an area’s needs and are run by its members with an elected Committee, governed by a Constitution, and self-funded, with the National office responsible for legal requirements including insurance and licensing and support on many other matters. Members are encouraged to become involved in the running of their u3a by taking on the various roles, necessary to maintain the present and future of the group.

At Rainworth & District u3a we have our main meeting on the second Wednesday of each month, 10am-12pm, at the Rainworth Village Hall, Kirklington Road, Rainworth NG21 0JY, we are within easy reach of Mansfield, Blidworth, Farnsfield, and Nottingham. Our group started in 2013 and we have enjoyed many years of “learn, laugh, live” together at meetings, social events and interest groups, at each meeting. We love to welcome new members, being a friendly group and look forward to meeting each other as well as new people. Visitors can attend for two main meetings at £2 each visit, when we have an informative and entertaining speaker on various subjects, drinks and biscuits and hear updates on our past and future activities, we also have a book stall and raffle.

The application process to become a member is quick, just a simple form to complete. After the membership fee has been paid, a card will be issued, this will need to be shown to a group leader if you wish to attend or join.

The Principles of the u3a Movement

The Third Age Principle

Membership of a u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular age but by a period in life in which full time employment has ceased.
Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a.
Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3a can do so.

The Self-help Learning Principle

Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they desire; by the members, for the members.
No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all u3a members.

The Mutual Aid Principle

Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of The Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the u3a movement.
No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.
Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of the u3a movement.